Frequently Asked Questions

Karndean manufactures luxury vinyl flooring that replicates the look and feel of flooring made from wood and stone. Compared with wood and stone, Karndean luxury vinyl is durable, waterproof and easy to clean, while offering the ability to create custom lay patterns.

Karndean luxury vinyl flooring is constructed in layers and is primarily made from calcium carbonate (limestone), polyvinyl chloride and pigments. The flooring is supplied as individual pieces – planks for wood-inspired designs and squarish tiles for stone-inspired designs.

Yes. Karndean luxury vinyl flooring (also known as “LVT”) is durable, waterproof, scratch-resistant and easy to clean. 

In addition to a variety wood- and stone-inspired designs in a range of color tones, product collections vary by the wear layer, product thickness and installation method. Pricing for product collections varies, but all can be used in the home and are backed by a lifetime residential warranty. See our collections.

Design strips are narrow pieces of LVT that can be installed between gluedown planks and tiles. They can be used as design elements in your lay pattern and are available in widths of 3mm and 10mm. Unlike real grout used with natural stone flooring, our nonporous LVT strips don’t stain, get discolored or harbor bacteria. They don’t need to be sealed, and they won’t crack with temperature fluctuations. 

Borders can be integrated in the layout of your floor to create visual interest or zoning.

Decorative borders are patterned borders to complement wood- and stone-inspired designs. Learn more about Karndean decorative borders. 

Tramline borders are borders created using two adjacent design strips (each 3mm or 10mm in width), while keyline borders use a single design strip. See examples of tramline and keyline borders.

Karndean Designflooring is the leading manufacturer of luxury vinyl flooring. A family-owned business since its founding in 1973, Karndean specializes exclusively in luxury vinyl, continuously innovating, refining and perfecting the product to offer flooring that combines style, durability and performance. 

Learn more about our product collections and installation formats.

Yes. Karndean luxury vinyl planks and tiles can be installed over underfloor heating systems. Refer to the heating system manufacturer’s instructions and Karndean installation instructions. 

Karndean Designflooring LVT realistically replicates the look and feel of wood and stone flooring in exacting detail. It’s waterproof, durable and easy to clean, allowing it to be installed in any room.

Laminate flooring is affected by temperature fluctuations, moisture and humidity. Heat will cause expansion, which can result in buckling, while cold causes contraction, which can result in splitting. Laminate absorbs moisture and is susceptible to swelling and warping, making use in bathrooms, kitchens or utility rooms problematic. 

Karndean Designflooring LVT realistically replicates the look and feel of wood and stone flooring in exacting detail. It’s waterproof, durable and easy to clean, allowing it to be installed in any room.

When engineered hardwood is penetrated by moisture, delamination and peeling can occur – problematic in environments like bathrooms and kitchens.

Inspired by wood and stone from around the world, Karndean LVT is manufactured in the form of planks and tiles that can be used as part of custom lay patterns. Combining cutting-edge technology and hands-on craftsmanship, Karndean LVT replicates the look and feel of wood and stone in exacting detail. 

Manufactured in large rolls, sheet vinyl has a design printed on the surface. 

Karndean Designflooring LVT offers the beautiful look and feel of natural hardwood, from the distinctive knots to the unique grain patterns. It’s durable, waterproof, easy to clean and low maintenance.

Hardwood can expand, shrink or warp in reaction to temperature changes and moisture. To maintain its appearance, hardwood requires maintenance such as sanding, staining and lacquering. 

Learn more about caring for your Karndean floor on our cleaning and maintenance page.

Stone and ceramic flooring can be heavy and difficult to install, particularly in upstairs spaces. Karndean LVT is lighter, flexible and much easier to install.

Stone and ceramic can feel cold when the temperature drops and become slippery when wet. Karndean LVT is slip-tested and suitable areas where splashes and spills are likely, such as bathrooms, kitchens and utility rooms. 

Gluedown luxury vinyl flooring is affixed to the subfloor with adhesive. Individual pieces can be cut and laid in patterns, allowing you to create stylish custom looks or zoning that sets an area apart. The possibilities are virtually endless. Learn more about benefits of gluedown flooring.

Loose lay luxury vinyl flooring combines the best features of two installation formats, gluedown and rigid core. Loose lay pieces can be cut and laid in virtually any pattern, like gluedown, while offering the fast, easy installation of rigid core – full-spread adhesive is not required for installation. Learn more about benefits of loose lay flooring.

Rigid core luxury vinyl is an easy-to-install “floating floor” – pieces click and lock together, and adhesive is not required. Learn more about benefits of rigid core flooring.

Homeowners who want the ability to create custom lay patterns choose Karndean gluedown. Learn more about the benefits of gluedown flooring.

Industry-wide, rigid core is the most popular luxury vinyl installation format. Learn more about benefits of rigid core flooring. 

You can buy our luxury vinyl flooring from an approved retailer. Find a retailer in your area.

For an initial idea, look for the “$” indicators on the product pages of our website. There are three tiers: entry ($), mid ($$) and premium ($$$). For detailed pricing information, call or visit an approved retailer. Find a retailer in your area.

The wood and stone materials replicated in our flooring designs feature unique natural variation that may not always be captured or represented with exact precision in online images, printed images or 4” x 4” product samples. Consult your retailer to see larger product samples.

Karndean flooring is best handled by professionals. Your retailer may offer installation services or be able to guide you to experienced installation experts. We strongly discourage DIY installation by anyone other than experienced experts. 

Consult your retailer for installation services or recommendations for experienced installation experts. We strongly discourage DIY installation by anyone other than experienced experts.

Acclimate products to room temperature. Unpack flooring in the space for installation, with the temperature at 64°F to 79°F for 24 hours before installation. Ensure specified temperature is maintained during and for at least 24 hours after installation.

Karndean luxury vinyl is waterproof, durable, and easy to clean and maintain. Use a broom to sweep up dust and dirt, then a mop with Karndean Clean (dilute according to instructions) or any pH neutral cleaner approved for use on vinyl flooring. For information about Karndean Clean and other Karndean maintenance products, consult your retailer. 

We recommend a pH neutral cleaner such as Karndean Clean, which has been formulated to protect and enhance the look of our flooring. Avoid cleaning products that contain agents such as bleach, which could damage the floor. For more information, consult the cleaning and maintenance section of our website.

Spills and splashes can wiped up or mopped with a pH neutral cleaner or properly diluted solution of Karndean Clean. For more information, consult the cleaning and maintenance section of our website.

With a durable, stain-resistant surface treatment, your Karndean floor can be regularly cleaned with a soft broom, damp mop and pH neutral cleaner like Karndean Clean. Before using a vacuum cleaner, consult the manufacturer to ensure it’s suitable for use on a Karndean floor. We do not recommend use of steam mops or steam cleaners.

Karndean floors are designed to be slip-resistant, but water or other forms of moisture can make the floor slippery.

To remove scuffs from shoes or furniture, dilute a small amount of Karndean Clean with water and apply with a moist cloth or non-abrasive pad.

Use felt pads under contact points such as table legs and chair legs. Avoid dragging furniture. For heavy appliances such as washing machines that may need to be moved occasionally, we recommend the use of load-bearing casters.

You can address the appearance of light scratches by applying Karndean Remove with a non-abrasive pad, removing the residue and rinsing thoroughly with clean water. Apply Karndean Refresh to restore the satin finish and protect the surface.

All Karndean cleaning and maintenance products are available in our Floor Care Kit. Consult your retailer for more information.

For deep scratches, use our Karndean Remove and Karndean Refresh products as directed. Consult your retailer for more information about obtaining these products.

You also can consult your retailer or installer about replacing a damaged plank or tile. Karndean LooseLay is particularly easy to lift and replace.